With today being the official start of spring, it’s time to start running, walking, and hiking! Of course, some of you never stopped over the course of the unyielding winter. But, for those of you who are more of a fair weather runner, now is the time to come out of hibernation and get back into the habit. Now is the time to start those New Year’s resolutions if you haven’t already. Now is the time to get out, soak in the the cool spring mornings, allow the bright sun to wash away that deep winter slumber from earlier months and fill you with vigor and energy.
Whether you are new to running or a season veteran, there are a few things I feel necessary to remind you of before you start cranking up those ear phones and laying down tread.
When is the last time you purchased a new pair of running shoes?
There are a lot of variables that play into this, but your running shoes should be replaced every 500 miles. Many runners use GPS devices to track their distance and time. Why not use these same devices to track the mileage on your shoes? I can not stress the importance of having a quality pair of running shoes. If you want to stay healthy, fit, and injury free, invest in a good pair of running shoes. I wrote more on the importance of quality running shoes in a previous post. Click here to read the article in detail.
Take your time and ease back into running.
I know you will expect to pick up your same pace from where you left off last fall, but unless you are super-human that is probably an unrealistic expectation. Attempting to do too many miles too early or maintain that per mile pace that you had four months earlier will greatly increase your chances for injury. It’s not worth the risk involved! Start off running shorter distances and don’t worry about your time. You will find that you are back up to speed in no time. Then, you can worry about building on your success from last year.
Set goals!
One of the most beneficial things you can do as a runner is set goals. Working towards and successfully completing your goals is not only an accomplishment in itself, but it helps keep you engaged. It makes you want to work more and strive to reach new goals. Your goals should be challenging, but realistic and achievable. Maybe your goal is to run your first 5K or maybe you have been running multiple 5K’s and now it is time to attempt half-marathons. This is the time of year where there are multiple 5K’s, 10K’s, Half-Marathons and Marathons to choose from and get involved in. Maybe you are not interested in running races, but instead running for health and fitness. Whatever your particular desire, set your goals and stop nothing short of success.
Of course, It’s not to late to sign up for the Run To Succeed 500 Mile Challenge. You can lot your mileage as far back as January 1st.
When you reach into your closet this spring, don’t make flip-flops the first thing you grab. Instead, reach for those running shoes and kick off the spring by logging miles under your feet.
